Gynecological



Nov. 9, 1937. G. B. GRONVOLD GYNECOLOGICAl/l CALCULATING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 18, 1934 GHQ/01217010 V, l. a. $3,,

NOV. 9, 1937. GRONVOLD 2,098,622

GYNECOLOGICAL CALCULATING DEVICE Filed Dec. 18, 1954 2 SheetS-Sheet 2 6B Gmrzwld Inrenlor Patented Nov. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to a gynecological calculating device for women, its object is to provide a simple mechanical device whereby a woman may obtain instantly and by mere inspection vital physiological data regarding her monthly periods of fertility, and thus entirely avoid the necessity for confusing and troublesome calculations.

It may here be definitely stated that recent conclusions reached by the coordinated findings of medical science have clearly established the fact that there is a well defined period of fertility in the monthly physiological cycle of every normal woman, and my invention is based upon this generally accepted knowledge. These periods are naturally based upon the date of the commencement of menstruation and the date of its probable recurrence. In the findings above referred to it appears that ovulation almost invariably occurs within a period which is twelve to sixteen days before the commencement of the next menstrual cycle, and that the period for conception is almost invariably limited to the eight days between the twelfth and the nineteenth days (inclusive) before the commencement of the neXt cycle of menstruation. These are the essential facts upon which my invention has been developed, and they mark an important deviation from previously accepted dicta on the subject, inasmuch, as when the commencement of the next menstrual cycle is taken as the datum point of the deductions, the variable period due to differing lengths of the menstrual cycle occasionally met with and amounting to a variation of the order of say four days in either direction from the normal of twenty-eight days, the said deductions are of necessity positioned at the other end or the commencement of the current cycle. Thus the method in question which makes its deductions from the commencement of the current cycle obviously introduces an element of serious error in every case where the menstrual cycle is non-normal in length. This error is entirely eliminated by my device which completely covers all the usual variations of length in the menstrual cycle. There are however Well known deviations from normalcy in the periodicity of these physiological occurrences which present difficulties but these are also taken into view in my device so that any confusion on such account is avoided.

In carrying my invention into effect I preferably make use of flat members as being the simplest both to construct, to handle and to read. This flat form is not however to be taken as limitative, as obviously any regular geometrical surface may be employed to afford identical functions.

The simplest form of my device consists of two scales preferably (although not necessarily) arcuate and concentric, one fixed the other movable thereon. Still considering merely the very simplest form of my device, the inner and outer adjacent peripheries or edgeward faces of the two scales are correspondingly divided off to indicate days of the month. The movable scale is further divided off into suitable zones or groups of divisions which indicate various physiological data including particularly the fertile period above named, the mechanical position of these zones being definitely related to the commencement and recurrence of the menstrual cycle. To operate this, the movable scale is shifted until one, say the left hand extremity of the zonal portion is positioned to coincide with the date on the fixed scale of the commencement of the menstrual cycle, then the days included within the period of fertility are at once seen by inspection and read on the outer scale on the fixed member. From this simple description of the merest elements of the invention the fuller development of my completed device will be more readily apparent, but it will be more clearly described by the aid of the drawings which accompany and form a part of this application, and in which Fig. 1 is a view of the stationary member and Fig. 2 is a view of the movable member in position on the complete device.

Fig. 1A is a variant of Fig. 1, and in which the dial member has a slot Wherethrough the required data is read on the back surface of the disc member Fig. 2A

Fig. 1B shows a rear view of the stationary member Fig. 1A

Fig. 2A is a front view of the disc member which is movable on the stationary member shown in Fig. 1A, and

Fig. 2B is the rear view of the disc member shown in Fig. 2A.

These drawings show preferred and convenient embodiments of the device, they are not however intended to be limitative as to details except insofar as such may be included within the scope and language of the claims. My device can be produced in an endless variety of forms and materials such as mere stiff paper, artificial ivory, aluminium, pyralin and the like. The first mentioned is the type illustrated, in which the numeral 3 indicates the base or stationary member and 4 the movable member securely pivoted thereto. The member 3 is in this case of dial form having an annular peripheral equi-angular scale 5, the inscribed portion 6 being blank and covered by the movable member 4. The scale is divided into eighty-nine parts so that monthly periods of thirty-one, thirty and twenty-eight respectively are available without correction for varying calendar periods. The corresponding months to which these respective periods belong may be labelled outside the scale 5. Thus the months of January, March, May, July, August, October and December are comprised within the thirty-one divisions of the scale at I, the months of April, June, September, and November being similarly dealt with within the thirty divisions of the scale at 8, and the month of Februarybetween the twenty-eight di- 1 visions of the scale as at 9. This eliminates trouble from the vagaries of the calendar. The member 4 is in this case of disc form of which only a sector is effectively employed, the usable portion consisting of the angle subtending the number of divisions in the stationary scale 5 which equal or correspond to the maximum days in a menstrual'cycle plus one, and indicated by the angle iii. In view of the physiological date above referred to and given, the angularportion It is cut away at certain portions to expose and render visible corresponding portions of the scale 5, and corresponding arcuate portions of the movable member are also angularly divided to match the divisions of scale 5. At the right extremity of the sector iii a single division sectored notch H is made. The position of this notch is one datum point of the device, as it indicates the date of the next menstrual cycle from which most of the important calculations are based. At a point which is seven divisions on the scale 5 from the notch i i the radial line i2 is made which dates the termination of the maximum period during which conception is possible during the current cycle, and continuing from the line l2 over an angle l3 subtending twelve divisions, another sector of the periphery of the movable member 4 is removed to expose the divisions on the stationary scale 5 and terminated at M which number dates the commencement of the period of possible conception. The single division left of this radial line M projects over the scale 5 and blanks the number thereon to form an index and observation point. The remaining portion it of the sector in is similarly cut away to expose the numbers on scale 5 from one to twelve inclusive. These last said numbers oppose the corresponding scale on that portion of the periphery of the sector i0 and ranging sequentially from thirty-two on the sector it which number (on the drawings) is opposite the first day of the month or the numeral one on the scale 5 to twenty-one on the sector H1 opposite the nu meral twelve on scale 5, i. e. when the movable member 4 is positioned as in the drawings, Fig. 2. The series thus named comprising a numeral for each differing cycle from the usual maximum to the usual minimum days inclusive in the menstrual cycle, thus allowing for non-regular or abnormal cycles. The group of five arcuate lines at H which subtend scale divisions of eight, nine, ten, eleven and twelve respectively, serve as means to indicate the normal period of possible conception, (which is the shortest arc) and also for cases of cycles which are non-normal to the extent of one, two, three, or four days respectively. In the latter cases the projection of a radial line from the end of the are on to the adjacent scale indicates the date by which the particular period is extended.

In operation the device functions as follows:

The number of days in the menstrual cycle being known, this number on that portion'of the scale it of sector iii is placed opposite the (date) number on scale 5 (using the month group i, 8, or 9 as the case may be) which corresponds to the date of commencement of the current menstrual cycle. The'number exposed by the notch il will obviously be the expected date of the commencement of the next menstrual cycle. Reading to the left of H the radial line I2 indicates on scale 5 the day of the month terminating the period during which conception is possible, as a maximum i. e. including the four days allowance for a non-normal cycle. Continuing the observation from the line E2over twelve divisions to the left terminating at N we get at that point the date of the commencement of the period of possible conception which is marked by the blank projecting tab [5. These complete the required observations for the given data. It should be noted that the radial line l2 indicated a date four days later than normal, this provides the allowance for cycles which may be irregular from one to four days as described, so that for menstrual cycles which are normal the point l2 will be moved towards the left by four divisions or four days. I

The central idea embodied in the foregoing description may be applied in several obvious di rections, for example with a view to the exhibition of the required resultant data more distinctly and free from confusing contiguity to other indicia, such data may be readable by itself from the back of the dial member 3. This is shown in Fig. 1A, Fig. 13, Fig. 2A, and Fig. 213, wherein the numeral i8 indicates an inspection slot in the dial member 3 and immediately beyond the scale 5, wherethrough the required data (removed from contextual confusion) may be read from the back of the disc member 4 through the slot Hi. This merely requires that the circumferentially cut away sector of the member embracing the twelve divisions at !6, be replaced by a slot l9, see Fig. 2A. These twelve divisions each represent the number of days in the menstrual cycle over a range of from 21 to 32 inclusive and there fore covering every usual contingency on either side of the normal cycle of 28 days. The slot 98 corresponds to the divisions embraced by the angle i3, viz. those shown as numbers 14 to 25 inclusive on Fig. 2. The data read through the slot i8 correspond to the scale 5 but the latter is replaced by the scale 5A on the back of member 4 and shown by Fig. 2B.

In each of the five variant figures the same central idea exhibited in Fig. l, and Fig. 2 is maintained and developed, and the same physiological data is made available in essentially the same manner. Thus Fig. 2A by being superimposed and revolvable on Fig. 1A is adjusted circumferentially so that the division corresponding to the days in a particular menstrual cycle comprised within the sector !5 and varying from a 32 day cycle at the extreme division (say) to the left hand, up to a 21 day cycle at the other extremity, is placed opposite the division within the slot [9 which coincides with the date of the commencement of the current menstrual cycle. then the days when conception is possible may be read (by turning over the device) on the peripheral scale 5 on the back of the movable member Fig. 2B, and through the slot H3 in the stationary member Fig. 1A and Fig. 13.

It is obvious that if preferred the slot 19 may be positioned on the opposite side of the pivot 20, so as to read on the front face of the movable member, by making the appropriate alterations in the scales and in their numerical sequence.

What I claim is:

1. A gynecological calculating device comprising in combination a dial member having a revolvable peripherally-notched disc-member pivotally secured thereto, an annular scale representing days of the month on said dial and positioned adjacently within the periphery of said disc, said scale having eighty-nine equi-angular divisions, said divisions being numbered sequentially to form three groups of thirty-one, thirty, and twenty-eight divisions respectively, said disc having divisions around a part of its periphery corresponding with the said divisions on said dial, the useful portion of said disc being a sector embracing an angle subtending the number of divisions in said scale which correspond to the maximum number of days in a menstrual cycle plus one, said sector including within its embrace the said disc divisions, sectors cut out of the periphery of said disc thereby forming notches whereby the scale divisions on said dial are at that sector exposed to view and said out out portions comprising a single division next the right extremity of said useful portion of said disc and a portion commencing seven divisions from said single division and extending over twelve divisions thence a further portion cornmencing one division beyond said twelve divisions and extending over twelve more divisions to the end of the said useful portion of the sector, whereby upon one movement being given to said disc all the necessary physiological data are available on inspection and in terms of the days of the current month.

2. A gynecological calculating device comprising in combination a dial member having a revolvable peripherally-notched disc-member pivotally secured thereto, an annular scale indicating days of the month on said dial and positioned adjacently within the periphery of said disc, said scale having eighty-nine equi-angular divisions, said divisions being numbered sequentially to form three groups of thirty-one, thirty, and twenty-eight divisions respectively, said disc having divisions around a part of its periphery corresponding with divisions on said dial, the useful portion of said disc being a sector embracing an angle subtending the number of divisions in said scale which correspond to the maximum number of days in a menstrual cycle plus one, said sector including within its embrace the said disc divisions, sectors cut out of the periphery of said disc whereby the scale divisions on said dial are there exposed to view and said out out portions comprising one single division next to the right extremity of said useful portion and a portion commencing at a point on the disc corresponding to the day terminating the maximum period of possible conception and thence extending over divisions corresponding to the day indicating the commencement of the said period of possible conception and a further portion commencing one division from last said cut out portion and extending to the end of the said useful portion of the disc whereby upon one movement being given to said disc all the necessary physiological data are available on inspection of the dates indicated on the said dial mem ber and corresponding to the said division on the said disc member.

3. In a gynecological calculating device in combination, a flat member having an equally divided scale thereupon and a peripherally notched member revolvably secured to and movable thereon, said scale being sequentially numbered from left to right, said movable member having its edge adapted to move over and cover said scale except where notched, said notched portion being of a total length equal to the number of divisions of said scale which correspond to the days in a maximum menstrual cycle plus one, said long notch being interrupted by intervening projections, thus, commencing with the division corresponding to the next to that at the extreme right of said notched portion and terminating with the seventh division towards the left which point indicates the day on the scale terminating the period of possible conception, thence proceeding over twelve more divisions which point indicates the day of the commencement of possible conception and at which point the notch is interrupted by a projection covering one division from which projection the edge of said notched member is divided to match the divisions on the said scale and of which twelve complete its effective length, the last said twelve divisions being labelled sequentially from the left thirty-two, thirty-one, thirty and so forth and constituting varying lengths in days of the menstrual cycle for a maximum at the left of thirty-two to a minimum at the right of twentyone days whereby upon placing the division on the movable member which corresponds to the number of days in the usual or known menstrual cycle opposite the division on the first said scale corresponding to the date of the commencement of the current menstrual cycle all the required physiological data can be read in days of the month at a glance.

4. In a gynecological calculating device in combination, a flat member having an equally divided scale thereupon and a notched-edged member revolvably secured to and movable thereon, said scale being sequentially numbered from left to right, said movable member having its edge adapted to move over and cover said scale except where notched, said notched portion being of a total length equal to the number of divisions of said scale which correspond to the days in a maximum menstrual cycle plus one, said long notch being interrupted by intervening projections thus, commencing with the division corresponding to the next to that at the extreme right of said notched portion and terminating towards the left at a point on the said movable member corresponding to the day of said cycle terminating the maximum period of possible conception thence proceeding over the required divisions to a point which indicates the day of the commencement of said period of possible conception, and at which point said notch is interrupted by a projection covering one division from which projection the periphery of the said notched member is divided to match the divisions on the said scale and of which there are sufiicient divisions to correspond with the number of different varying lengths in days of the menstrual cycle and which complete the length of said long notch, the said last divisions being labelled sequentially and constituting varying lengths of the menstrual cycle for a maximum at the left to a minimum at the right, whereby upon placing the division on the movable member which corresponds to the number of days in the usual or known menstrual cycle opposite the division on the first said scale corresponding to the date of the commencement of the current menstrual cycle all the required physiological data can be read at a glance on the said scale.

5. A gynecological calculating device comprising in combination a dial member having a revolvable peripherally-notched disc -member pivotally secured thereto, an annular scale indicating days of the month on said dial and positioned adjacently within the periphery of said disc, said scale having eighty-nine equi-angular divisions, said divisions being numbered sequentially to form three groups of thirty-one, thirty, and twenty-eight divisions respectively, said disc having divisions around a part of its periphery corresponding with the divisions on said dial, the useful portion of said disc being a sector embracing an angle subtehding the number of divisions in said scale which correspond to the maximum number of days in a menstrual cycle plus one, said sector including within its embrace the said disc divisions, sectors out out of the periphery of said disc whereby the scale divisions on said dial are exposed to view! and said out out portions comprising a single division at one extremity of said useful portion of said disc and a portion commencing at a point on the disc corresponding in number of divisions to the day of the termination of the maximum period of possible conception and thence extending over division which correspond to days terminating at the commencement of the said period of possible concepticn plus a further portion commencing one division from last said out out portion and eX-' tending to the end of the said useful portion of the disc whereby upon one movement being given to said disc all the necessary physiological data are available on inspectionof the dates indicated on the dial member corresponding to the said division on th'e disc member.

6. In a gynecological calculating device in combination, a fiat member having an equally divided scale thereupon and a notched-edged member revclvably secured to and movable thereon said scale being sequentially numbered in either direction and indicating days, said movable member having its edge adapted to move over and cover said scale except where notched, said notched portion being of a total length equal to the number of divisions of said scale which correspond to the days in a maximum menstrual cycle plus one, said long notch being interrupted by intervening projections, thus, commencing with the division corresponding to the next to that at one extremity of said notched portion and terminat ing in the opposite direction at a point corresponding in days on said scale to the termination of the maximum period of possible conception thence proceeding over the number of required divisions to a point which indicates the commencement of the said period of possible conception, and at which point it is interrupted by a projection covering one division from which last projection the said notched member is divided to match the divisions on the said scale and of which suihcient divisions to correspond with the number of. dififerent varying lengths of a menstrual cycle complete its effective length, the said last divisions being labelled sequentially in the opposite direction to those on the flat member and constituting varying lengths in days of the menstrual cycle whereby upon placing the division of the movable member which corresponds in its number to the number of days in the usual or known menstrual cycle opposite the division on the first said scale corresponding to the date of the commencement of the current menstrual cycle all the required physiological data can be read at a glance on the scale of the said flat member.

7. In a gynecological calculating device comprising in combination, a base member having thereon an equally divided scale composed of three sections in sequence, one of twenty-eight divisions representing the days in the month of February, another of thirty divisions representing respectively the days in the months of April, June, September and November, and a third of thirtyone divisions representing respectively the days in the months of January, March, May, July, August, October and December; a movable member secured to said base member, said movable member having a portion removed to expose a predetermined number of scale divisions of the base member and itself having adjacent said removed portion a division scale to register with the exposed divisions of said base member, said division scale on said movable member being numbered consecutively to represent menstrual cycles; and means cooperative with said base member and said movable member for indicating the date the next menstruation will be due to begin, said means being governed by the setting of the menstrual cycle number on the movable member into position to register with the exposed date on said base member scale for the month and day the present menstrual period started.

8. In a gynecological calculating device a dial member, a disc member pivotally secured to said dial member, said dial member having a single set of annularly arranged scales in sequence, one of thirty-one divisions, one of thirty divisions and one of twenty-eight divisions, representing months of varying lengths, said disc member having means cooperative with said scales for inicating the days when conception is possible, the sterile days and the date the next menstruation is due all according to the particular menstrual cycle of the user.

9. In a gynecological calculating device, a dial member having a single set of annularly arranged scales in sequence, one of thirty-one divisions, one of thirty divisions, and one of twentyeight divisions, representing months of varying lengths, a disc member'pivotally related to said dial member and having means cooperative with said scales for indicating the sterile days and the fertile days, all according to the particular menstrual cycle of the user.

10. In a gynecological calculating device, a dial member and a revolvable disc member pivotally located thereon, said dial member having a single set of annular scales thereon in sequence representing days of months in three groups, one of thirty-one divisions, one of thirty divisions and one of twenty-eight divisions, and means for effecting cooperation between said dial and disc members and including provisions for indicating possible days of conception and possible sterile days respectively, all according to the particular menstruation cycle of the user and according to the date upon which menstruation last commenced. V

11. In a gynecological calculating device a stationary member and a movable member held on said stationary member, said stationary member having a single set of scale groups thereon in sequence one group of thirty-one divisions, one group of thirty divisions, and one group of twenty-eight divisions, representing months of varying lengths, said movable member being provided with indicating means corresponding in their positions to the various physiological occurrences during a menstrual cycle whereby upon adjusting said movable member to given locations on said cycle definite days may be assigned to said occurrences.

12. In a gynecological calculating device, a stationary member and a movable member held on said stationary member, said stationary member having a single set of scale groups thereon in sequence, one group of thirty-one divisions, one group of thirty divisions, and one group of 

